Jim Playfair is a former professional ice hockey player and coach from Canada. He was born on May 22, 1963, in Fort St. James, British Columbia. Playfair began his hockey career as a defenseman in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Portland Winter Hawks in 1982. He played for the Winter Hawks for three seasons, during which he was known for his physical play and leadership skills.
In 1985, Playfair was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 20th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Oilers' minor league affiliate, the Nova Scotia Oilers, for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1988. Playfair played for the Blackhawks for two seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 1990. He played for the Sabres for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1991.
Playfair played for the Kings for two seasons before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 1993. He played for the Ducks for one season before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1994. Playfair played for the Rangers for one season before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1995. He played for the Coyotes for one season before retiring as a player in 1996.
After retiring as a player, Playfair began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1996. He was promoted to head coach of the Cyclones in 1997 and led the team to the Turner Cup championship in 2000. Playfair then became an assistant coach with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2000.
In 2001, Playfair was promoted to head coach of the Flames and led the team to the Calder Cup championship in 2001-02. He then became an assistant coach with the NHL's Calgary Flames in 2002. Playfair was promoted to head coach of the Flames in 2006 and coached the team for one season before being fired in 2007.
After being fired by the Flames, Playfair became an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007. He then became an assistant coach with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes in 2011. Playfair was promoted to associate coach of the Hurricanes in 2014 and coached the team until 2018.
In summary, Jim Playfair had a successful hockey career as a player and coach. He played for several NHL teams and was known for his physical play and leadership skills. As a coach, Playfair led several minor league teams to championships and was an assistant coach and head coach in the NHL.
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